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Why di-Academy is organizing a data science bootcamp

On the Data Innovation summit in Brussels, I announced that di-Academy is organizing a data science bootcamp. Afterwards many people asked me why it is called “bootcamp”, so let me explain this here.

A bootcamp is a type of group physical training program conducted by gyms, personal trainers, and military personnel in order to get fit and ready to tackle physical challenges.

The data science bootcamp will prepare young graduates to be able to solve all kinds of data related challenges.

Members of fitness boot camps are usually tested for fitness on the first day and then retested at the end of the camp, which usually runs for between 4 and 6 weeks.

Before students can enroll in the data science bootcamp, they will be selected based on their motivation and skills. As classes are scheduled only on Mondays and Tuesdays, the datascience bootcamp will span 12 weeks. At the end of the 12 weeks, students will have to present a business case they have worked on.

Bootcamp training often commences with dynamic stretching and running, as these are the basics for a good physical condition.

The data science bootcamp will kick off with different programming languages and an introduction to statistitics, as this is the backbone for datascience. A datascientist who doesn’t know how to code, seems like a soldier without arms to me.

Participants to a fitness bootcamp do bodyweight exercises like sit ups, push ups and squats, but they also use objects to lift, and pull rubber TRX straps. They have a very varied program so they don’t get bored and persevere until the end.

In the data science bootcamp there is also a very diverse schedule with lots of different business cases. In order to solve these business cases, different technological platforms and tools will be available for the students.

Next to all the heavy physical activities in bootcamps, there is also room for stretching, nutrition advice, yoga and meditation.

Likewise, the data science bootcamp is not only about acquiring technical skills, but also about developing soft skills like teamwork, communication, presentation and storytelling.

You may wonder why people are so crazy to voluntarily take part in a bootcamp. It’s because bootcamps provide social support. This (and also the drill instructor of course) can push people a little bit further than they would normally push themselves in the gym alone.

I’m convinced that it is impossible for one to obtain all data science skills and techniques that are scheduled on the bootcamp by himself. The qualified trainer will bring a lot of added value to the students by sharing his experiences and best practices with them. Furthermore, students will have the opportunity to work on their own business case while a coach is available to answer their questions and help them if they are lost in all the bits and bytes.

Do you want to know more about our data science bootcamp? Have a look at di-academy.com/bootcamp/ or drop an e-mail to training@di-academy.com